New York, NY – Major League Baseball will not implement an international draft for 2014, it was announced Friday.
The MLB Players Association and Major League Baseball had until June 1 to create a plan for the draft.
"The Office of the Commissioner and the Players Association have discussed various issues regarding international amateur players, including the possibility of an international draft," MLB said in a statement. "While both parties discussed an international draft, an agreement was not reached on some of the mechanics and procedures related to such a draft. Thus, an international draft will not be implemented in 2014. The parties intend to continue to discuss international amateur talent issues, and the current system of international talent acquisition as described in the Collective Bargaining Agreement will remain in place at this time."
The idea will not be revisited until the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires after the 2016 season. Commissioner Bud Selig plans on retiring following the 2015 season.
"At this time, the players are not prepared to accept an international draft," stated MLBPA executive director Michael Weiner. "The MLBPA will continue to discuss with players and the Commissioner's Office the many issues facing its international members."
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